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3 Tesla execs dead in plane crash

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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
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Default 3 Tesla execs dead in plane crash

The plane crashed on the 1200 block of Beech Street near Pulgas Avenue about 7:55 a.m., said Lt. Ray Lunny of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department. A house on the street was damaged and the plane destroyed three cars, Lunny said, but there were no reports of injuries on the ground.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the plane was a twin-engine Cessna 310 that had taken off from Palo Alto Airport, about a mile to the southwest, and was bound for Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles County.
(Courtesy of EGM Cartech)

WOW

From reports Elon Musk was not on board.
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:04 PM
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Damn.

Just when Tesla is breaking ground in the automotive industry.

RIP...
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:05 PM
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another cessna? man, sucks to hear
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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Didn't realize who was onboard. Tragic.
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:47 PM
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Rip. ..............
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 12:59 PM
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Not sure they were execs, but they were employees of Tesla.

The three victims were all employees of Tesla Motors of San Carlos, said the CEO of the electric-car company, Elon Musk.

"We are withholding their identities as we work with the relevant authorities to notify the families," Musk said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Tesla is a small, tightly knit company, and this is a tragic day for us."

The plane was owned by Doug Bourn, a senior electrical engineer for Tesla. It was not known whether Bourn was onboard.
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 04:19 PM
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very sad ;-(
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 04:46 PM
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There so many of these small plane crashes each year.
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 05:24 PM
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Let's not forget about the kids and teachers at the daycare. . .
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by wannaGX
Let's not forget about the kids and teachers at the daycare. . .
Fortunately, no one in any of the buildings was hurt.
Source
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:09 PM
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Default Tesla Motors Plane Crash kills three (my family member)

I'm sad to report a family member by marriage died in a plane crash today. My brother in law older sibling Brian Finn, who I must say was a great dad and husband.

Keep him in your prayers.




The links below tell the story.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmfinn

http://www.teslamotors.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi7PJHD534E
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:16 PM
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I'm deeply saddened to read of this tragic event.

Sincere condolences to the families of the three that were lost and to you Jimxo and your extended family
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 06:17 PM
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You got my condolences, jimxo.

I wonder how did the plane crash? Mechanical problems?
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Lextron
It hit a power line at take-off...
My condolences to the family and friends of the accident victims.


The Cessna 310 is a pretty old design, and its twin engines, though adequate, don't have a whole lot of power by light-twin, general-aviation aircraft standards. I'm a licensed pilot myself, and won't do a lot of speculating, as there are many things that could cause a crash like this. But marginal power, especially with at least four people on board, could have been a factor. That's why, in the plane's specs and Flight Manual (and every aircraft has one), you have a runway take-off and distance requirement, at max engine power, to clear a 50-foot obstacle (and other obstacles), based on air temperature/pressure/humidity, aircraft load, and number of engines in operation.
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 10:00 PM
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jimxo sorry to hear of your family member's passing. Very sad.
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